GradGather — branded as BridgeU in the user interface — is a full-stack web platform that bridges the gap between current students and university alumni. Students gain access to mentorship, career guidance, and peer networks, while alumni can reconnect with their institution, contribute expertise, support clubs, and give back through donations. The platform brings together every dimension of alumni-student engagement in one cohesive experience: browsing a live alumni directory, signing up for events, joining interest-based clubs, and initiating direct connections — all without leaving the app.Documentation Index
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BridgeU is the brand name displayed throughout the UI (page titles, the navigation logo, and marketing copy). The underlying project repository and codebase are named GradGather. Both names refer to the same platform.
User Roles
GradGather supports two distinct user types, each with their own onboarding path accessible from the/2signup role-selection page:
- Students — Current university students who log in to browse the alumni directory, join clubs and events, and request mentorship or advice from alumni.
- Alumni — Former students who reconnect with the university community to mentor students, participate in events, share expertise, and make financial contributions through the donation gateway.
Key Features
Authentication
Separate sign-up and login flows for students and alumni, backed by MongoDB credential storage via Mongoose.
Alumni Directory
A searchable directory of alumni profiles so students can discover potential mentors and professional contacts.
Events
Browse and register for university-run and alumni-led events directly through the platform.
Clubs
Explore and join interest-based clubs, fostering community among both students and alumni.
Connect
A dedicated connection hub where students can reach out to alumni for mentorship, collaboration, or advice.
Donations
Alumni can contribute financially to the institution through a PayPal-powered donation gateway with sandbox and live modes.
Tech Stack
GradGather is built entirely with open-source, widely-adopted technologies:| Layer | Technology |
|---|---|
| Runtime | Node.js |
| Web Framework | Express 4 |
| Templating | Handlebars (HBS) — server-side rendering |
| Database | MongoDB, accessed via Mongoose ODM |
| Payment Gateway | PayPal REST SDK (paypal-rest-sdk) |
| Configuration | dotenv |
| Development | nodemon for auto-reload |
src/index.js) handles all routing and renders .hbs templates from the tempelates/ directory. Static assets — CSS stylesheets and images — are served from the public/ directory. MongoDB connectivity and schema definitions live in src/mongo.js, and PayPal payment orchestration is handled by src/controllers/paymentController.js.